Tractor mounted windrow loader



TRACTOR MOUNTED WINDROW LOADER ATTORNEYS Sept. 10, 1957 R. D. MacDoNALD 2,805,750

TRACTOR MOUNTED WINDROW LOADER Filed March 4, 1954 8 Sheecs--SheelrI 2 W @nOu/ aA/@2.-

ATTOR N EYS Sept. 10, 1957 R. D. MacDoNALD TRACTOR MOUNTED wTNDRow LOADER 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 4. 1954 INVENTOR. X24 mmef /V/-cO/VAL D ATTORNEYS Sept. 10, 1957 R. D. MaCDoNALD 2,805,750

TRACTOR MOUNTED WINDROW LOADER Filed March 4, 1954 8 sheets-sheetl 4 ATTORN YS Sept. l0, 1957 R. D. MacDoNALD TRACTOR MOUNTED wTNOROw LOADER 8 Shee'ts-Sheec. 5

Filed March 4, 1954 WENN- Y INVENTOR.

. .PA mme/sz@ /Wo/v/ILD BY A /r l, a!

4:/ 1%2/ ATTORNEYS lSept. 10, 1957 R. D. MacDoNALD TRACTOR MOUNTED WINDROW LOADER 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 4, 1954 INVENTOR fo/VALD ATTORNEYS Sept. 10, 1957 R. D. MaoDoNALD TRACTOR MOUNTED wTNOROw LOADER 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 4, 1954 INVENTOR. En mmef f'liwww MZ/A ATTORNEYS Sept. 10, 1957 R. D. MaoDoNALD TRACTOR MOUNTED WINDROW LOADER 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed March 4, 195,4

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Patented Sept. i0, 195'? ice ganarse TRACTOR MoUNrnn wnsnnow Lorman Raymore D. MacDonald, La Grange Park, Ill., assignor to Barber-Greene Company, Aurora, fil., a corporation of Illinois Application March 4, 1954, Serial No. 414,145

14 Claims. (Cl. 19g- 10) This invention relates to improvements in loading machines and more particularly relates to a new and improved form of tractor-mounted loader for loading earth, sod and the like from a roadway.

A principal object of my invention is to provide a simple and improved form of loading machine carried on and propelled by a farm type of tricycle tractor.

Another object of my invention is to provide a self propelled conveyor loader including a wheel-mounted frame and a conveyor pivoted over the rear axle of the frame for engagement with the ground during loading and for elevation with respect to the ground during transportation.

A further object of my invention is to provide a conveyor type loader for earth and the like constructed and arranged for mounting on a tricycle type of tractor, in which a simple and novel form of drive is provided from the tractor engine to the conveyor through the pivot for the conveyor on the tractor.

A further and more detailed object of my invention is to provide a conveyor loader for dirt and the like in which a rocking member forms a support for mounting the conveyor on a tricycle tractor to one side thereof, but within the limits of the tractor wheels, and in which a tie rod connected from the rocking member to the forward end of the tractor frame serves to transmit the operational loads to the forward end of the tractor frame.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a simple form of mounting and drive for an elevating conveyor on a tricycle type of tractor to one side of the engine thereof, in which a rocking member forms a bearing support for a drive shaft for driving the conveyor from the tractor engine and also forms a support for the conveyor, and in which the rocking member is held from rocking movement by an adjustable tie rod connected with the forward end of the loader frame for adjusting the drive and transferring the operational loads to the forward end of the tractor frame.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a tractor type of loader wherein an inclined elevating conveyor is rockingly carried by a tricycle type of loader to one side of the steering wheel thereof and within the limits of the drive wheels thereof, and has a novel form of feeder mechanism iloatingly carried on the forward end thereof, for feeding earth, sod and the like to the conveyor.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a self-propelled loading machine having an inclined elevating conveyor extending along one side of a tricycle type of tractor and within the limits of the wheels thereof and having a novel and efficient means for correcting the side draft caused by the eccentric mounting of the conveyor with respect to the frame of the tractor.

Still another and more detailed object of my invention is to provide a self-propelled loader including a tricycle type of tractor having an inclined elevating conveyor pivoted to extend alongone side thereof and within the limits of the traction wheels therefor, in which a part of 2 the weight of the conveyor is taken from the ground and transferred to the forward end of the tractor by a preloaded spring arranged to vary the pressure exerted by the conveyor against the ground, and, in which a dared side draft correcting blade engageable with the ground cooperates with the spring to counteract the tendency of the loader to move toward one side.

A further and more specific object of my invention is to provide a simple and improved form of side draft correcting device for a tricycle type of conveyor loader including a divider blade extending in advance` of the conveyor in substantial alignment with one of the outer wheels of the tractor and an opposite outwardly flared blade for directing material to the conveyor and correcting the tendency of the tractor drift toward the side along which the conveyor extends.

These and other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings where- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a loader constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary rear end view of the loader shown in Figure 1 looking toward the loader from the rear end thereof and showing certain parts broken away;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in side elevation of the central part of the loader shown in Figure 1, showing more clearly the support for the elevating conveyor on the tractor and the tie rod transferring the operational loads to the front end portion of the tractor frame;

Figure 4 is an enlarged View in side elevation of the front end portion of the loader shown in Figure l and showing the feeder mechanism therefor;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the loader looking toward the loader from the opposite side from that shown in Figures l, 3 and 4;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View taken through the frame for the conveyor in order to show certain details of the conveyor frame and the troughed supporting rollers for the belt;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail view in side elevation of a portion of the conveyor frame;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the forward portion of the conveyor frame;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary front end View of the tractor and conveyor frame and showing certain details of the preloaded spring support for the forward end portion of the conveyor frame on the front end of the tractor;

Figure l0 is a fragmentary plan view looking substantially along line XX of Figure 8 in order to show certain details of the vguide for the conveyor frame on the tractor not shown in Figure 8;

Figure l1 is an enlarged fragmentary end view looking substantially along line XI XI of Figure 10; and

Figure l2 is a fragmentary plan view of the loader with certain parts removed in order to show certain details of the side draft correcting means for the loader.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, I have shown in Figure l a tricycle type of farm tractor 10 having a frame il, a front steering wheel 12, a transverse axle housing 13, axles lli journalled Within said housing and having rear traction wheels 15, 15 thereon and driven thereby.

The tractor l@ may be of any well known form so need not herein be shown or described in detail, and h as a transversely extending motor 15, which may breda*l gasoline engine and is provided to drive the rear traction wheels 15, 15 through suitable reduction gearing and the usual differential (not shown).

Extending along one side of the frame 11 and within the limits of the associated traction wheel 15 and pivotally mounted on the axle housing 13 is an inclined elevating conveyor 17, herein shown as comprising a trough-like frame 19 having an endless belt 23 movable therealong and trained about a drive roller 20 at the rear end of said frame and an idler roller 21 at the forward end thereof.

The conveyor frame 19 is best'shown in Figures 6 and 7 andincludes parallel spacedV side plates 24, 24 connected together by spacer plates 25,25 and between which the belt 23 is guided. Along the outer'side of each side plate 24; 24 is a channel-like stiifening member or beam 26 extending for substantially the entire length of the frame 19 and having oppositely extending feet 27, 27 extending outwardly from the legs thereof and abutting the'plate 24 and` bolted'or otherwise secured thereto. The stiiening members26, 26 with the side plates 24; 241 form in effect` a torque tube extending along each side of the conveyor frame and-hold the frame from twisting movement.` The belt 23 is shown as being supported at its edges on downwardly inclined aprons 29 29 secured.' to. and extending4 angularly inwardly and: downwardly from the sidesplates 2 4, 2.4L T heaprons 29; 29 also` form supports at their inner ends for bearingbrackets 30, 30 for troughed' idlers 31,31 journalled at their outer ends in said' bearing brackets. Thevidlers 31, 31 are journalled at their inner ends in aA central support member 32 suitably secured' to the transverse plates 25'. The return run of theA conveyor belt` 23 isV shown as being supported' on laterally spaced idler rollers 33; 33 mounted on transverse shafts 34, 34 journalled at their ends in depending bearing brackets.35, 35 depending from the lower end portions of the* side plates 24, 241 j The belt 23 is shown as having a plurality of spaced lugs 36, 36 extending upwardly therefrom and forming in effect ightsto retain loose material to the inclined belt and enable the belt to convey material up and along an angle, which may be steeper than the normal angle of incidence of the belt.

They conveyor; 17 is shown as beingpivotally supported on the axle housing 13 on spaced bifurcatedsupport y brackets 37 and 3 9 extending upwardly from said axle housing ('see'Figure 2). As herein shown, the bracket 37 is adjacent the wheel 15 of the tractor which isthe rightA hand wheel in Figure 2. The support bracket 39 is shown as being spaced on the opposite side of the differential casing from the support bracket 37. The support bracket 37 is shown as having, a rocking arm 40' pivotally supported thereon on a pivot' pin 41. As herein shown, the rocking arm 40 has a. boss 43 at its lowerend portion which extends between the furcations of the bracket37 and has a sleeve 44 formed integrally with its upper end portion and braced to the bracket by a gusset plate 45. Thesleeve 44 is shown as forming a support for a transverse support member. 47 herein shown as being a tube. The transverse support or tube 47 is also supported in a, sleeveportion 49 of a rocking arm 50 pivotally mounted, between the furcations of the support bracket 39' on a pivot pinA 51. The tube 47 forms a bearing support for a transverse drive shaft 53 journalled therein and extending beyond opposite-ends thereof. p

A Pivotally mounted on the tube 47 at opposite sides of' the sleeve 44 andA bracket 4.0 are rocking support arms 55' and 56 for the conveyor 17, shown as being connected to a cross frame or `beam extending beneath the lower run of the belt 23 and across the frame 19 for the conveyor and secured to opposite side plates 24, 24 of said frame. On the opposite end of the shaft 53 from the conveyor 1,7 is a pulley 60, herein shown as being driven by a V-belt 61 (see Figures 2 and 5). The V-belt 61 i's driven from a pulley 63 on a` shaft 64, which may be the crank shaft of the motor 16. The pulley 63 is selectively connected to the shaft 64 through a clutch mechanism indicated' by reference character 65 and shown generally in Figure 5. The clutch mechanism 65 may be of any well known form and is no part of my present invention so` need not herein be shownor describedfurther.

On the opposite end of the shaft 53 from the pulley 60 is a sprocket 66 (Figure 3). The sprocket 66 is shown as driving a sprocket 67 on a parallel transverse shaft 69 journaled in the conveyorframe 19 through a drive chain 70 meshing with said sprocketsi Projecting upwardly from the pivot tube 47 and outwardly of the conveyor frame 19 is a bifurcated connecting arm 74 having atie rod 75 pivotally connected thereto on a pivot pin 76 (Figures 3 and 5). The opposite end of the tie rod from the connecting arm 74 is shown as having a threaded rod 77 extending therefrom andwelded or otherwise secured thereto, and having a sleeve 79 thereon and abutted at its opposite ends and` locked in position by nuts 80, 80 threaded on said rod. The sleeve 79 is shown as being trunnioned on a bracket 81 secured to the frame 11 for the tractor 10 and projecting thercfrom toward the frame for the conveyor 17.' The length of the tie rod 75 may be adjusted by the nuts 80, 80 in an obvious manner, to adjust' the position of the support arms 40 and 50 and the tension of the belt 61. The tie rod 75 maintaining the arms 40 and 50'in an upright position and, connecting the tube 474 to the forward end portion of the frame 11 for the tractor, besides affording a means for` adjusting the` tension of the belt 61l also serves to transmit the operationalforces fromV the pivot tube 47 to the forward end portion of the frame 11.

The conveyor 17 is guided for` vertical movement about the axis of the torque tube 47 and is stabilized and retained from lateral movement with respect to the frame 11 ofthe tractor 1G by means of an elongated guide roller 83 (Figures 8, l0 and ll). The glide roller 83 is mounted on a pin or rod 84 supported. at its ends in bosses 85, 85 `extending outwardly from parallel supportsV 86, 86. The supports 86, 86 are shown in Figure l0. as extending outwardly from the inner side wall 24 ofthe frame 19 and as being suitably secured thereto as by welding.

The, roller 83 is` shown as being guided between two spaced outwardly facing channels 87 and 88 secured to the frame 11 for the tractor and extending downwardly from the tractor frame and inclined toward the rear of said' frame so as to be generally perpendicular to the plane of inclination of the conveyor 17. The channels 87 and 88 are shown as being spaced apart by spacer collars 89, S9 at the upper and lower ends of said channels and are shown as being connected in spaced relation with respect to each other as by pins or rivets 90, 90. As herein shown, the channel 88 extends within the legs of a channel like support bracket 91 and is welded or otherwise secured thereto. The support bracket 91 in turn, is secured to the conveyor frame 11 as by nuts and bolts 93, 93; As herein shown, a plurality of apertures 94, 94i are provided along the frame 11v to effect a means for adjustingthe position of the guide channels 87 and 88 along said frame.

The conveyor 17 is elevated about the axis ofthe pivot tube 47 for transportation as by a flexible draft device or cable 95. The cable 95 is shown in Figures l, 8 and 9 as being secured at one end to a connecting bracket 96 secured to and extending upwardly from the beam 26 extending along the inner side wall 24 of the conveyor frame 19.y The cable 95 is trained upwardly from the bracket 96 around a sheave 97 on a pivot pin 99'. The pivot` pin 99 is supported on and extends outwardly from a bracket plate 107 mounted on the front of the frame ,11 for the tractor 10 and extending outwardly therefrom toward the conveyor 17; The flexible draft device 95 is trained from the sheave 97 in a downwardly inclined direction around a sheave 100.mounted on a sheave` bracket 101 `depending from, the axle housing 13. The free end `of the flexible draft device, 95 has a clevis 102 thereon connected to a rocking arm 103 Pivotally mounted on the tractor frame on a rock shaft 104. The arm 103 is a usual power take-ott` arm commonly provided on tractors of the type herein shown, and is usually operated by a hydraulic' cylinder and piston device (not shown). Thus upon pivotal movement of the rocking arm 103 by power in a clockwise direction the forward end portion of the conveyor 17 will be raised above the ground, to `accommodate the tractor to transport the loading device `along the ground from working place to working place.

A part of the weight of the forward end portion of 'the conveyor 17 is transferred from the ground to the forward end of the tractor frame 11 by means of a preloaded compression spring 105 (see Figures 5 and 9). The spring 105 is seated at its lower end in an upwardly opening seating member 106, extending forwardly from and secured to the bracket plate 107. The compression spring 105 is shown as having a rod 109 extending therethrough and through the seating member 106. The rod 109 is retained to the spring 105 by means of a washer 110 having anut 111 abutting the upper end thereof and threaded thereon. The nut 111 besides affording a means for retaining the rod 109 to the spring 105 also serves to preload the spring 105 and transfer a portion of the weight of the forward end portion of the conveyor 17 from the ground, to provide in effect a floating mounting for the forward end portion of the conveyor 17 on the ground. The rod 109 is shown as having an apertured connecting lug or clevis 112 extending downwardly from its lower end, to which is connected a chain 113. The chain 113 has a clevis 114 at its lower end connected to the connecting bracket 96 as by a clevis pin 115.

The feeder for feeding dirt, sod, gravel and the like to the receiving end of the conveyor 17, is herein shown as being a spade feeder 117 including a plurality of vertically movable spade gathering arms 119, 119 orbitally travelling in laterally spaced vertical planes (Figures 1, 4 and 5). The arms 119, 119 are shown as being mounted on cranks 120, 120 of a crankshaft 121. The crankshaft 121 is journalled at its ends in a feeder frame 123 pivotally connected at its rear end to vertically extending side plates 124, 124 on a transverse shaft 125 mounted at its ends in brackets 126, 126 extending upwardly from the side plates 124, 124. The side plates 124, 124 extend vertically from the forward end portions of the side plates 24, 24 of the conveyor frame 19 and each has a flanged upper end 128 upon which the frame 123 rests.

The feeder frame 123 is shown as comprising two spaced arms 127, 127 extending forwardly from the shaft 125 and connected together adjacent the forward ends thereof by a transverse channel 129. The arms 127, 127 are shown as having depending resilient bumpers 130, 130 lloatingly supporting the forward end portions of the arms 127, 127 on the flanges 128, 128 of the side plates 124, 124. Each bumper 130 is shown as being a generally U-shaped member 131 welded or otherwise secured to the under surface of the arm 127 at the ends of its legs and having a yieldable pad 132 secured to the web of the member 131 and depending therefrom. An abutment plate 133 vulcanized or otherwise secured to the bottom ofthe yieldable pad 132 is provided to engage and rest on the flange 128. i

The arms 127, 127 and bumpers 130, 130 are shown as being yieldably retained in engagement with the upper surfaces of the side plates 124, 124 as by compression springs 135, 135. Each compression spring 135 is shown as being seated at its upper end against an outwardly projecting seating member 136 extending outwardly from a flange 12S. A rod 137 extends through the center of the Ispring 135 and slidably through the bracket member 136. The rod 137 has a head on its lower end for retaining the spring 135 thereto and is secured at its upper end to a bracket 139 extending outwardly from the arm 127.

The feeder arms 119, 119 are shown as being pivoted to the cranks 120, 120 intermediate their ends and as having inwardly curved and relatively sharp spade-like digging ends 140 for digging into and breaking up sod or large chunks of dirt and progressing it onto the conveyor belt 23. The opposite end of eachfeeder. arm 119 .from

its digging end is shown as having a control link 141 pivotally connected thereto as by a pivot pin 143. Each control link 141 in turn is shown as being pivotally mounted on a transverse shaft 144 mounted on an upwardly projecting support portion 145 of the feeder frame 123. The upwardly projecting support portions 145 space the shaft 144 a substantial distance above and in advance of the axis of the crankshaft 121, and effect movement of the feeder arms 119, 119 downwardly in a substantially vertical direction into the material to be loaded and then inwardly toward and upwardly over the receiving end of the conveyor 17 in a generally reniform path having its apex above the receiving end of the conveyor 17.

The crankshaft 121 has a sprocket 147 thereon driven from a sprocket 149 by a drive chain 150 meshing with said sprockets. The sprocket 149 is journaled on the shaft 125. Tension on the chain 150 is taken up by a tension idler 151 which also serves to wrap the chain around the sprocket 147. The sprocket 149'isshown as being driven from a sprocket 153 journaled on the shaft 125 adjacent the sprocket 149 and secured thereto. A chain 154 is shown as being trained rearwardly from the sprocket 153 around a sprocket 156 on the outer end of a drive shaft 71a journaled in the frame 17. From thence the chain is trained around and driven from a sprocket 155. The chain 154 is then trained upwardly and around idler sprocket 157. From thence the chain 154 extends forwardly to and around the sprocket 153.

A sprocket 71 on the inner end of the shaft 71a serves to drive the conveyor belt 23 through a chain and sprocket drive 73 (Figure 5).

Stripper bars 160, spaced along the forward end portion 145 of the frame 123 are provided to engage opposite sides of each feeder arms and strip the dirt therefrom, as is well known to those skilled in the art, so not herein shown or described further.

The conveyor frame 17 is shown as having a shoe 161 extending across the forward end thereof in advance of the idler 21 and formed at its rear end to conform gen-v erally to the form of the belt 23 as it turns about said idler. The shoe 161 is shown as extending between a divider 162 extending along the outer side of the conveyor frame 17 in general alignment with the side wall thereof and a flared gathering blade 163 extending angularly outwardly and forwardly from the inner side of the conveyor frame 17 across the forward end of the tractor 10. The shoe 161 also has a transverse scraper blade 164; secured to the forward end thereof and extending in an inclined direction toward the ground and has an inclined upper surface 166 forming a continuation of said scraper blade and a material carrying surface for supporting material carried to the belt 23 by the feeder arms 119, 119.

ft may seem from Figure l2 that the divider 162 extends in advance of the conveyor frame 17 in substantial alignment with the outer side thereof and in alignment with the traction wheel 15 over which the conveyor 17 extends. As herein shown the right hand traction wheel 15 is directly under the outer side wall of the conveyor and the divider 162 is in substantial alignment with the outer side wall of the conveyor so as to have a direct cutting action into the row or pile of dirt which is to be loaded.

VThe divider 162 is shown as having a shoe 167 extending along the bottom thereof for slidable engage-4 ment with the ground and as having generally pointed plow like forward end portion 169 for dividing the row of earth to be loaded and progressing it into the path of the feeder arms 119.

The outwardly flared gathering or scraper blade 163 is of a generally concave form in cross-section with the concave portion thereof facing in the direction of the divider 162. The scraper blade 163 is pivotally supported to extend within a laterally flared portion 170 of the lower forward. end portion of the conveyorframe 19 on a transverse. pivot pin; L71.. Astshowninliguresf. and. 12' thejpivotpim 1171 isA braced; at;its..outer end: on a brace 1712` extending angularly; upwardly.t and rearwardly# from the pivotY pi'n; 171 and connectedgacits; upper ende tothe, wall' 124. of the conveyor frame, 19.;` Thepini 171i is mounted. at: its, innen end on. the outside'` of the flared portion.` 100i of. the. forward end4 portion of; the. conveyor frame 19s and. is substantially.: in alignment. witht; the forward end portion of the scraper blade 164.

Anl arm. 174; is pivotaliy mounted, onA the pi'n 1711,l atl its innen end: andi` extends` forwardly `therefrom to the, gathering. blade 163i and ist welded or, otherwise secured to said gathering; blade intermediate. the ends thereof,4 andi `pivotally.` connects; said blade to.. thepin 171,. and positions theinnerend; of said blade to cxtendinwardly along the ared porti`oxn1'l0 of. the. conveyor frame 19. The. gathering-or side draft correcting blade 163 is biased totyieldably engage. the; ground-j by a compression spring 1:75.` abutting, an ear 11.76; atA its upperA end. extending outwardly from the flared; portion; 170l of the` conveyor fnameA 19;. A rodV 117 .slidably extends through the ear 176; and. the spring 175, and. is. pivotally connectedrat its'. lower end to an ear 1.782 extending outwardly from the gathering blade. 163.V adjacent the,` upper side of the arnr :4. TheA spring; 175 is seated at its.` lower end on a Collar 17.9;4 on the, rod 17,7' adjacent the lower end thereof. Downwardl movement` of the'rod 177 and gath-t ering blade 165; is limited by a collar 180` on the outer end thereof and: pinned or otherwise secured thereto.

Itmay be seen fromA the foregoing that the spring 105 taking a portion of the `weight ofi the conveyor 17 and gathering blade 163 from the ground and transferring the weight toA the forward end of the truck, forms in effect' a` floating. mounting for the blade 163` and forward end portion of the` conveyor 17: on the ground, and thus aids in reducing the. side drag that would be present due tothe accentric mounting off the conveyor on the tractor 10, if the entire weight of the conveyor and tractor were taken on` the ground, while the gathering blade 163i` extending angularly` across. the front of the tractor 10i further equalizes. and reduces the side drag on the tractor. l The.' divider 162 being in alignment with the outer drive` wheel 15, andV withL the outer side wall of the conveyor 19 exerts a. thrust directly along the ground im direct. alignment with the associated wheel and divides. and clearly cuts ythe row or pile of material` being gathered. The gathering or side draft correcting blade 163i flaring outwardly beyond the` steering Wheel 12 tot the opposite side ofthe tractor from the conveyor 17 and Shaving fioating engagement with the ground for scraping loose materia-l therefrom into the path of the feeder arms 119, 119, thus counteracts the side draft, which would otherwise be caused by the off center arrangement of the conveyor and gathering arms with respect to the tractor, and'enables the loader to travel in a straight line while loading with a minimum amount of steeringy effort on the part of the operator ofthe tractor.

It may further be seen that the drive to the conveyor 17 being through the pivot tube 47, that the conveyor may float along the ground about the axis of the pivot tube 47 and may be driven in allV positions of said conveyor with respect to, saidtube. It may also be seen that since the tube 47 isrrockingly mounted on the axle housing 1,3. and has the drive shaft for the loader journaled therein and is connected with the forward end portion of the tractor frame 11 by the tie rod 75, that the tie rod 75 will take the operational thrusts on the tube 47 tduring operation of the loader as it advanced along the ground, and also affords `a simple means for taking up on tension on the drive belt: 61. f

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected in the present` invention without depart ing; from` the spirit. and; Scope, ofy the novel concepts. thereof..

It claim.; as invention;

1.y In ai tracton mounted; windrow` loader, al frarnehav-` inga. transverselyl extending rear axle; housing and havingaxlesgjoufnaled: therein and widely spaced rear trac.

` porting connection betweenv said tube and` said conveyor accommodating said conveyor to oatingly engage the groundat its forward end, andY an adjustable-tie rod connected between said tube and said frame at its forward end thereof, fon taking up onsaid lexible drive connection andi transferring the operational loads on said conveyor and tube totthe forward end of said frame.

2. In a tractor mounted windrow loader, a frame having a rear transversely extending axle housing having axles journaledl therein and having' widely spaced rear traction wheels supportedl thereon, and having a front steering wheel,` a motor on said frame, an inclined` elevating conveyorextending along one side of said frame, the improvementscomprising a tube extending transversely of said frame, means mountingl said tube ou said frame comprising a pair of spaced' rocking arms pivotally mounted on said4 axle housing and extending upwardly therefrom, a drive shaft journaled within said tube, a iiexible driye connection` from saidv motor to one end` of saidv drive shaft, a chain and sprocketv drive from the other end of said shaft to said conveyor, asupport member rockingly mounted on said tube and forming a support for said conveyor intermediate the ends thereof and accommodating the forward end of said conveyor to oatingly engage the ground', and a tie rod connecting said tube with said' frame at the forward end thereof and transferring the operational loads on said conveyor to the forward end of said frame.

3. In a self propelled loader, a wheel mounted frame having a rear transversely extending axle housing having widely spaced rear traction wheels supported thereon, saifd frame also having at least one centrally arranged front steering wheel,J a` motor on said frame, an inclined elevatingrcon'veyor extending along one side of said frame within the limits of `said traction wheels, a support tube extending transversely of said frame, a pair of spaced rocking arms pivotally mounted on said axle housing and forming a rocking support` for said support tube, a shaft journaled within said tube, a flexible drive connection from said motor to one end of said. shaft, a chain and sprocket drive from the otherend of said shaft to said conveyor, for driving the same, a support member rockingly mounted on said support tube and forming a support member rockingly mounted on said support tube and forming a support for said conveyor, a `tiexible draft device4 connected between the forward` end of said frame and conveyor for elevating said conveyor about saidtube, andan adjustable tie rod having pivotal connection with said tubeY at one endr and with the forward end of said frame at its opposite end for taking up on said flexible drive connection and transferring the operational thrusts on` said conveyor and support tube to the forward end of said frame.

4. In a self-propelled loader. having a frame, a rear transversely `extending axle housing having axles journaled, therein and having widely,Y spaced rear traction wheels` mounted on said axles, a front steering wheel supporting the forward end of said frame, a motor on said frameVan inclined elevating conveyor extending along one. side of, said frame.` `a feeding` device at the forward end of said conveyor for feeding loose material thereto, a pair of spaced rocking arms pivotally mounted on said axle housing, a transverse support member mounted on said rocking arms, a shaft journaled in said support member, a exible drive connection from said motor to one end of said shaft, a chain and sprocket drive from the other end of said shaft to said conveyor, a support rockingly mounted on said transverse support member and forming a rocking support for said conveyor, a tie rod having pivotal connection with said transverse support member at one end and with the forward end of said frame at its opposite end for taking up on said llexible drive connection and transferring the operational loads from said conveyor and transverse support member to the forward end of said frame, and a slidable guiding connection between said conveyor and the forward end of said frame accommodating vertical movement of said conveyor with respect to said frame and retaining said conveyor from lateral movement with respect to said frame.

5. In a tractor mounted windrow loader, a frame having a rear transversely extending axle housing having axles journaled therein and having widely spaced rear traction wheels supported thereon, and having a front steering wheel, a motor on said frame, an inclined elevating conveyor extending along one side of said frame, the improvements comprising a tube extending transversely of said frame, means mounting said tube on said frame comprising a pair of spaced rocking arms pivotally mounted on said axle housing and extending upwardly therefrom, a drive shaft journaled within said tube, a flexible drive connection from said motor to one end of said drive shaft, a chain and sprocket drive from the other end of rsaid motor to said conveyor, a support member rockingly mounted on said tube and forming a support for said conveyor intermediate the ends thereof, a tie rod connecting said tube with said frame at the forward end thereof and transferring the operational loads on said conveyor to the forward end of said frame, and a yieldable supporting connection between the forward end of said frame and said conveyor for transferring a part of the weight of said conveyor from the ground to the forward end of said frame.

6. In a tractor mounted windrow loader, a frame having a rear transversely extending axle housing having axles journaled therein and having widely spaced rear traction wheels supported thereon, and having a front steering wheel, a motor on said frame, an inclined elevating conveyor extending along one side of said frame, the improvements comprising va tube extending transversely of said frame, means mounting said tube on said frame comprising a pair of spaced rocking arms pivotally mounted on said axle housing and extending upwardly therefrom, a drive shaft journaled Within said tube, a flexible drive connection from said motor to one end of said drive shaft, a chain and sprocket drive from the other end of said shaft to said conveyor, a support member rockingly mounted on said tube and forming a support for said conveyor intermediate the ends thereof, a tie rod connecting said tube with said frame at the forward end thereof and transferring the operational loads on said conveyor to the forward end of said frame, and a preloaded compression spring supported on the forward end of said frame and connectedV with said conveyor adjacent the forward end thereof for transferring a part of the weight of said conveyor from the ground to the forward end of said frame.

7. In a tractor mounted earth loader, a wheel mounted frame having a rear axle housing having axles journaled therein and having traction Wheels mounted thereon, a front steering wheel on said frame, a motor on said frame, an inclined elevating conveyor extending along said frame along one side of said steering wheel and Within the limits of the associated traction wheel, a

transverse support member mounted on said frame for' rocking movement with respect thereto, a supportl rock-Y ingly mounted on said support member and forming .a rockable support for said conveyor, a drive shaft car-V ried by said transverse support member, a exible driveA connection from said motor to said drive shaft, a chaini and sprocket drive from said drive shaft to said con-` veyor, an adjustable tie rod having pivotal connectionj with said transverse support member at one end and' with the forward end of said frame at its opposite end for transferring the operational loads from said con-y veyor and transverse support member to the forward end of said frame and for taking up on said exible drive connection, ay feeder frame transversely pivoted to said conveyor and extending forwardly of the forward end thereof and resting thereon, feeder arms carried by said frame for orbital travel in vertical planes, for progressing material onto said conveyor, a chain and sprocket drive connection from said drive shaft to said feeder arms for driving the same, and means transferring a part of the weight of the forward end of said conveyor from the ground to the forward end of said frame comprising a preloaded compression spring supported on said frame adjacent the forward end thereof and having connection with said conveyor.

8. A tractor mounted earth loader comprising a frame having widely spaced rear traction wheels and at least one centrally arranged front steering wheel, an inclined'v elevating conveyor having parallel spaced side walls and'. an endless conveying medium movable therebetween, said. conveyor being mounted on said frame to one side of said steering wheel, the outer of said side walls ex` tending over an associated traction wheel and being within the limits thereof, a divider extending forwardly off said one side wall for cutting into and dividing the eartlr. to be loaded, and a side draft correcting scraper blade; extending angularly from the other of said side walls across the front of said front steering wheel for gath-l ering the material to said conveyor and counteracting the side thrust on said frame caused by the eccentric mounting of said conveyor thereon.

9. A tractor mounted earth loader comprising a framev having widely spaced rear traction wheels and at least one centrally arranged front steering wheel, an inclined elevating conveyor having parallel spaced side walls, and having a conveying medium movable therebetween-, means. pivotally mounting said conveyor on said frame to one side of said front steering wheel, the outer of said side walls of said conveyor extending over an associated track wheel and within the limits thereof, a divider extending forwardly of the outer of said side walls for cutting and dividing the earth to be loaded in a vertical plane within the limits of said traction wheel, a side draft correcting blade extending angularly outwardly from the other of said side walls across the front of said front steering wheel, means mounting said scraper blade on the other of said side walls for limited pivotal movement with respect thereto, and means yieldably restraining upward movement of said blade with respect to said frame.

l0. A tractor mounted earth loader comprising a frame` having widely, spaced rear traction wheels and at least. one centrally arranged front steering wheel, an inclinedi elevating conveyor having parallel spaced side walls and having an endless conveying element movable therebe tween, support means on said frame mounting said conveyor on said frame for rocking movement with respect thereto about a transverse axis disposed adjacent therear end of said frame, said conveyor being spaced to A one side of said steering wheel and the outer of said side walls extending forwardly of an associated traction wheel within the limits thereof, a divider extending forwardly of said one side wall in substantial alignment therewith, and means correcting the side draft on said 1 frame caused by eccentric mounting of said conveyorN thereonm comprising -a i preloaded. spring, seated.U on., said frameE at .theforward end thereof havingconnectionfwith saidconveyor and transferring@ part of the..weightgov Saidconveyor. from thecigtroundto the forward .lend-of, said frame, and.atgatheringscraper bladeiextending. angillarly outwardly fromthes other of said;` side wallsagross thefront osaidi steering wheel., e p Y l l;1` At, self-propelled earthe loader comprising i ay self-- propelled frameV having, a rearl .axle housingi-Vhavingaxles; journalledtherein `andrear traction; wheels. mounted on;-

said axlesand, having at leastonecentrally arranged-front steering wheel, an, inclined1 elevating, i, conveyor having4 parallel spaced, Ksidet wallshavingi, an endlesst ,conveying element movable therebetween, afrocking supportfor said;

conveyor on, saidvrear.:axlehousing,` said conveyor ex-y tendingstoone side of saidfron Vsteering, wheeland the outer side, walk-thereof,` extending over' an` associated tractionwheel within` the; limitsithereofra; dividerex tending.r forwardly of; said, out er,.side wall inl substantial alignment therewith, and meansicorrectingthe, side draft` on: saidfr-ame icaused` by.; theseceentric`4 mountingofA saidl conveyor thereon comprising a preloaded springseated on said `frameat theforward i end,f thereof, a 3 flexible con necting member. connecting saidsprings with ther. forward end of said conveyor andftransferringapartof; the weight of said.conveyor.from.the groundtothe-front of saidlframe,l and` a sidedraft` correcting scraper blade` movablyt mountedaon the` inner, of said sidey wallsV for limited movement in a vertical plane and-extending angularly outwardly from,said sidewall across vthefrontofI said front;` steering wheel.

12. In. a `conveyor loadingdevice for loadingl earth andthe like, a self-propelledrframe having 1widely spaced rear traction wheelsfandl at least one.centrally arranged front steering wheel, aninclinedtelevating conveyor extendingover one1of` said-traction wheelsr and having.

an outer` side-,wall-withinthe limits of said traction viwheel, an inner Yside ywall `extendingalong saidframe andan endless 4conveying'element movable fbetweengsaidiside walls, vertically movable feeder, arms atthe forwardiend-l CIII tractionwheels and at leastone centrally arranged-front tric mounting of said conveyor on said frame comprising` a gathering scraper blade pivotally mounted on the inner Iof said side walls and yieldably restrained from yupward movement with respect to the ground, and extending angularly across the front of said front steering wheel, and a preloaded spring supported at the front of said frame and connected with said conveyor for transferring a part of said frame for feeding materialfontosaid.conveyora Y divider forming a continuation of said outer side,l wall for cutting into and dividing the earth ,tot bes-loaded, and.

meansy for scrapingmaterial into the path of, said ,feeder arms andcorrecting the side draft of,said,frame,caused by the eccentric mounting of said conveyor` on saidsframe i comprising a `gathering blade' extendingnangularly,from.

the inner of said `side wallsacrossthefront ofsaid-front steering wheel.

13,.; Inl a conveyor loadingdevice,forloading earthand s the like, a self-propelled `frame having widely spaced rear of the weight of said conveyor and gatheringscraper blade from the ground to the front of said frame.

14. In a tractor mounted windrow loader, a frame having a transversely extending rear axle housing ,having axles journaled therein having widely spaced rear. traction Vwheelsimounted thereon, a front steering wheel supporting the forward end ofV said frame, a motor on said frame; an inclinedelevating conveyor extending along one side of said frame and having oating engagement with the-groundat its forward end, means pivotallysupporting said conveyor on said frame and accommodating said conveyor'to follow the surface of the ground upon advance of saidframe along the ground including'a rocking arm i pivotally mountedon said axlehousing andextending upwardly therefrom7 -a support tube mounted on the upf` iper endfof said rocking arm for rocking movement therewith', a shaft journaled within said support tube and driven by said` motor, a drive `connection from `said shaft to saidl conveyor, a support:rockingly'mounted on said support` tubel and havingr supporting-connection` with said conveyor intermediate theends thereof and accommodating pivotalA movement ofxsaid` conveyor about the-axis ofsaid; tube, and means retaining saidrocking arm from vpivotal-movement-witli respect to said `axle housing and` transferring the,` operational force transmitted by said conveyor tosaid rocking arm to thefforward end of said frame comprising a ,tieV rod `connected 4from said rocking arm to the forward end lof said frame; i

ReferencesCited `in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 'Dowden JulyS, 1921 Moore J`anr 6, l9`53` 

